Introduction
Understanding the origins of a business—its founding date, registration details, and background—can provide critical insights for potential clients, investors, competitors, and job seekers. Below, we outline practical steps to help you lookup when a business was established, along with resources and tips for accessing this information.
1. Steps to Find Out When a Business Was Originally Established
Finding a business’s establishment date requires a blend of online research, database access, and verification through legal records. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you can take:
- Identify Business Name Variants: If the business has gone through name changes, this may impact your search. Confirm any potential previous names.
- Check Registration Records: Start with the business’s legal registration documents. These can be obtained online or through the local government where the business is registered.
- Look for Inception Dates on the Company’s Website: Many companies mention their founding year on their “About” or “History” pages, providing a reliable starting point.
2. Resources and Databases for Checking a Company’s Founding Date
For an accurate lookup of when a business was established, specialized databases and records are key. Here are some commonly used resources:
- Secretary of State Websites: In the U.S., each state’s Secretary of State site usually provides a business entity search, which includes establishment dates and registration details.
- Public Business Databases: Services like Dun & Bradstreet and the Better Business Bureau offer extensive business profiles, including founding dates.
- Paid Databases: Tools like LexisNexis and Hoovers may require a subscription, but they offer reliable historical business information.
3. Using Online Directories and Public Records
Many online directories and public records feature business information that includes establishment dates. For example:
- Business Directories: Directories such as Yellow Pages, Yelp, and LinkedIn often provide founding dates on company profiles.
- Public Record Access Services: Websites like OpenCorporates compile business registration details worldwide and often include the date of establishment.
4. Government Websites for Establishment Information
Government websites are among the most authoritative sources for business history:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (U.S.): While the IRS doesn’t provide founding dates directly, companies’ Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) may indicate approximate registration timelines.
- UK Companies House and Similar International Registries: In the UK, Companies House maintains historical and current business records, which include founding dates.
- Local Government Websites: Many counties and cities maintain local business registries with original incorporation dates.
5. Confirming Founding Dates via Legal and Registration Records
Legal and registration records provide foundational information for a lookup when a business was established. Consider these steps:
- Obtain Articles of Incorporation: The Articles of Incorporation document shows when a company was formally registered.
- Check Tax Registration Records: Tax records may include establishment dates, especially for businesses required to file regularly.
6. Checking a Company’s Age with Its Registration or Tax Identification Number
The registration number or tax ID can sometimes indicate when a company was established:
- Using the EIN or Tax Identification Number: In the U.S., an EIN might provide a rough estimate if it was obtained near the company’s founding.
- Company Registration Numbers Abroad: Many countries assign sequential company registration numbers that include the year of registration.
7. Using Secretary of State Websites for Establishment Verification
The Secretary of State websites in the U.S. are valuable resources. Here’s how to use them:
- Navigate to Business Search Portals: Many states have “Business Entity Search” tools on their Secretary of State websites.
- Enter the Company Name or ID: By entering the company’s exact name, you can typically pull up records with dates of establishment, owner names, and status.
8. Tools and Platforms for Historical Business Information
For historical business information beyond establishment dates, use these tools:
- Hoovers and Crunchbase: Both platforms offer in-depth business profiles and frequently contain historical founding data.
- ProQuest and Newspapers.com: Historical newspapers often feature business milestones, providing another layer of insight.
9. Social Media and Websites as Clues for Business Inception
Company websites and social media profiles often reveal founding dates. Here’s how to utilize them:
- Check LinkedIn Company Pages: LinkedIn often lists the founding year in the company overview section.
- Social Media Milestones: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram may include posts celebrating business anniversaries, which can help confirm the founding date.
10. Challenges in Researching a Company’s Establishment Date and Overcoming Them
Finding accurate founding dates can sometimes be challenging due to:
- Name Changes or Mergers: Businesses that have rebranded may have erased early records.
- Solution: Research previous business names or review merger histories.
- Inconsistent Public Records: Not all databases are consistently updated.
- Solution: Cross-reference data from multiple sources to confirm accuracy.
Conclusion
Knowing how to lookup when a business was established helps in making informed decisions. Use the steps, tools, and tips above to navigate various databases, directories, and records that provide the establishment dates and background information on companies. Armed with this guide, you’ll be equipped to find reliable data on when a business began its journey, adding credibility and context to your research or decision-making process.
